Portugal refused to grant citizenship upon John Paul II.

The Government of Portugal sees no grounds for granting citizenship Turkish Mehmet Ali Agdzhe (Mehmet Ali Agca), attempts to Pope John Paul II. The statement was made on Thursday, May 14, the official representative of the Portuguese Cabinet Pedro Silva Pereira (Pedro Silva Pereira).
"An alien who is not living in Portugal and not speaking the Portuguese language, may only become naturalized if any he has exceptional merit to the Portuguese state or society. It is clear that in this case was inappropriate to talk about it" - said Pereira.
According to him, an official request to obtain the nationality of Ali Agdzhi no. Nonetheless, Lisbon decided to pre-designate their position, after the press was informed that Ali Agdzha to adopt Catholicism and become a Portuguese.
Explaining his desire to take Portuguese nationality, the Turks referred to the words of John Paul II, to take up their salvation that the attempt occurred on the day of the Madonna phenomenon in the Portuguese town of Fatima.
Ali Agdzha shot Pope John Paul II May 13, 1981 at St. Peter's Square Vatican. Pontiff, were seriously wounded, managed to survive, and in 1983, forgiven Agdzhu, later John Paul II has called his "spiritual brother."
After 19 years in an Italian prison, the Turks in 2000, returned to their homeland, where he was convicted in another case. It was expected that in January 2010, he becomes eligible for parole.
Earlier, Ali Agdzha asked him to give the Polish citizenship, but was refused. Reasons for the decision was the same - lack of merit of the country.